# Billboards and the First Amendment **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 4, 2021, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billboards-and-the-first-amendment/955524 "2021-12-04T21:56:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2021, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billboards-and-the-first-amendment/955524/21 "2021-12-05T02:27:56Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > No, rural western Pennsylvania. Ugh, I have family in that area. Johnstown? ---
**Author:** ![Bootb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@Bootb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootb)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2021, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billboards-and-the-first-amendment/955524/22 "2021-12-05T02:36:29Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Aren’t there still limits on hate speech? As various people have pointed out over the years, popular speech scarcely needs protecting. It is precisely the **unpopular** speech that the First Amendment protects. And by the way, if you’re an American, you should strike the term “hate speech” from your vocabulary–it’s a deeply un-American concept. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2021, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billboards-and-the-first-amendment/955524/23 "2021-12-05T02:45:36Z")
If you go to Harding, Arkansas there’s an infamous billboard for white pride radio or some such nonsense. It’s one of the first things you see when driving into Harrison on Highway 65. I am given to understand that there were 3-4 other billboards throughout town but the landowners were pressured to have them removed. Apparently the sign that’s still up is on land owned by the son of the director of the KKK. (Who knew they had boring titles like director?) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2021, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billboards-and-the-first-amendment/955524/24 "2021-12-05T02:49:00Z")
> [@Bootb](#): > > And by the way, if you’re an American, you should strike the term “hate speech” from your vocabulary–it’s a deeply un-American concept. I disagree. Hate speech is un-American. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2021, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billboards-and-the-first-amendment/955524/25 "2021-12-05T03:07:55Z")
> [@Bootb](#): > > And by the way, if you’re an American, you should strike the term “hate speech” from your vocabulary–it’s a deeply un-American concept. I know that idea is being pushed heavily by those that want “rights” without “responsibility”. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2021, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billboards-and-the-first-amendment/955524/26 "2021-12-05T03:12:07Z")
Are there no ordinances or restrictions regarding the use of the word “fucking”? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2021, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billboards-and-the-first-amendment/955524/27 "2021-12-05T03:15:50Z")
On a local level, there may be laws against public obscenity. But, it sounds like the OP’s billboard is in a small town, and either (a) there’s no such law there, or (b) the locals don’t care to enforce the law in this case. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2021, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billboards-and-the-first-amendment/955524/28 "2021-12-05T03:24:13Z")
No, the problem is that hate speech is _all-too American_. When lots of people think of the First Amendment, it’s about their right to hate the Other. Pretty much the same reason they support the Second Amendment. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2021, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billboards-and-the-first-amendment/955524/29 "2021-12-05T03:26:57Z")
> [@Bootb](#): > > As various people have pointed out over the years, popular speech scarcely needs protecting. It is precisely the **unpopular** speech that the First Amendment protects. > > And by the way, if you’re an American, you should strike the term “hate speech” from your vocabulary–it’s a deeply un-American concept. To be clear, I was asking a question of fact, not ideals. I was under the impression that, for good or ill, there were restrictions on hate speech. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2021, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billboards-and-the-first-amendment/955524/30 "2021-12-05T03:30:52Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I was under the impression that, for good or ill, there were restrictions on hate speech. You can outlaw speech likely to cause an imminent breach of the peace (such as “fighting words”). I wonder what would happen if some young minorities, inspired by the Rittenhouse verdict, decided to strap on and start patrol that area to ensure that there was no unrest. If some racist was to confront them, BLAMMO! - self defense! ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2021, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billboards-and-the-first-amendment/955524/31 "2021-12-05T03:47:11Z")
You seem to be under the impression that minorities have a right to self defense? What recent jurisprudence gave you that idea? ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2021, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billboards-and-the-first-amendment/955524/32 "2021-12-05T04:23:05Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > Are there no ordinances or restrictions regarding the use of the word “fucking”? Some communities have tried to enforce such restrictions ([recent example](https://freespeechproject.georgetown.edu/tracker-entries/judge-rules-that-new-jersey-woman-can-display-profane-anti-biden-signs/)), but they are likely unconstitutional. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2021, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billboards-and-the-first-amendment/955524/33 "2021-12-05T12:25:22Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Ugh, I have family in that area. Johnstown?- No, although I’ve seen many FUCK BIDEN yard banners there. This billboard is near Butler. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2021, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billboards-and-the-first-amendment/955524/34 "2021-12-05T16:16:14Z")
Rural western Pennsylvania is somewhat…medieval. I was reading an article about the guy responsible for putting up a mess of religious-themed highway billboards, including the notorious “Hell Is Real” sign on I-71 between Columbus and Cincinnati\*. He apparently is responsible for at least one billboard that reads "Use the rod on your children and save their life.” So it is OK to publically promote thrashing your misbehaving kids with a foreign object, at least if it’s in the Bible. > **[U.S. highways lead to heaven and hell for drivers](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sereligion-roadsigns/u-s-highways-lead-to-heaven-and-hell-for-drivers-idUSN2641838120070129)** > > The giant Jesus on Interstate 75 is bigger than the "Hell is Real" billboard on I-71, and much fancier than the "I need U Jesus" on Route 56 in central Ohio. But the message of America's roadside evangelists is the same. \*I used to pass the “Hell Is Real” sign all the time on trips south from Columbus (the opposite side reads “Where Will You Spend Eternity?”). Amusingly, the pro soccer rivalry between the Columbus and Cincinnati MLS clubs is popularly known as “Hell Is Real”. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2021, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billboards-and-the-first-amendment/955524/35 "2021-12-05T16:42:30Z")
A 2.6 second Google search reveals the following. > **[Black man who claimed self-defense while shooting a gun found not guilty on...](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/black-man-who-claimed-self-defense-while-shooting-a-gun-found-not-guilty-on-same-day-as-rittenhouse-verdict)** > > After the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict was rendered, seemingly every leftist, liberal, and Democrat went on the attack to label him, inexplicably, as a white supremacist. Despite the victims being white and the trial having absolutely nothing at all to... The ease of finding examples combined with your ignorance and inability to grasp that the US has freedom of speech implies that the gaps in your knowledge are deliberate. Especially since you demonstrate very high levels of education and reasoning on non political topics. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2021, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billboards-and-the-first-amendment/955524/36 "2021-12-05T16:49:01Z")
An exception does not negate the fact that people of colour are more likely that White people to be prosecuted for defending themselves. It’s like saying ‘I’m not a racist because I have a Black friend.’ ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2021, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billboards-and-the-first-amendment/955524/37 "2021-12-05T18:23:20Z")
It also doesn’t support the statement, “Minorities have no right to self defense.” ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2021, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billboards-and-the-first-amendment/955524/38 "2021-12-05T19:10:38Z")
Let’s say 1,000 Black men and 1,000 White men defend themselves, and 1 Black man is not charged and 1 White man is charged. Some people will say, ‘See? See? That Black guy was rightfully not charged because he was defending himself! And that White guy was! The system works!’ When someone says, ‘Minorities have no right to self-defence,’ it is not meant to be taken literally. It is meant to illustrate the fact that minorities are charged with crimes when they defend themselves much more often than White people are. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2021, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billboards-and-the-first-amendment/955524/39 "2021-12-05T19:30:07Z")
This is unfortunately the new economics of offensiveness. It used to be that businesses would try to eschew politics for fear of losing customers who disagreed. However if for every 2 customers who boycott your gas station for being white supremacist, you pick up one racist fuck who will specifically seek you out to do buisiness, that’s 33% market share which is pretty darn good. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2021, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billboards-and-the-first-amendment/955524/40 "2021-12-05T19:54:07Z")
> [@Bootb](#): > > And by the way, if you’re an American, you should strike the term “hate speech” from your vocabulary–it’s a deeply un-American concept. Wait a second, are you telling me what I can and cannot say? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billboards-and-the-first-amendment/955524.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billboards-and-the-first-amendment/955524.md?page=3)